Children with parents who divorce or separate before they are five are more likely to become binge drinkers when they reach 16 than children with parents who remain together, a major new study has found.

The Family Law Bar Association (FLBA), which represents the interests of approximately 2,300 barristers nationally who specialise in family law, has said that it is deeply concerned about the impact on vulnerable members of society from the Government's proposals to cut legal aid fees by 10%.

The Japan Times reports that campaigners in the United Kingdom, including Anne-Marie Hutchinson OBE, have expressed concerns that the current legal framework in Japan will not ensure effective implementation of the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.

The response expresses the Bar Council's dismay at the Ministry's decision to press ahead with further cuts to barristers' fees in the face of overwhelming opposition within responses to the legal aid consultation.

On 30 June 2011, the Ministry of Justice made a statement in Parliament saying the Government had decided not to opt in to the European Commission's proposals to bring legal clarity to the property rights for married international couples and for registered partnerships with an international dimension.

In a joint message signed by Sir Nicholas Wall, President of the Family Division, and Anthony Douglas CBE, the Chief Executive of Cafcass, it has been agreed that there is no need to renew the interim guidance, originally entered into on 1 October 2009 ('PIG1') and again on 1 April 2010 ('PIG2').

Guidance on making a child party to proceedings, the appointment of a guardian, the ability to appoint a litigation friend or the official solicitor in protected party cases and the option to retain jurisdiction in such cases, and when to exercise the power to stay proceedings.

The Supreme Court has refused secretary of state Michael Gove and Haringey Council permission to appeal against the ruling that Sharon Shoesmith was unfairly sacked as director of children's services at Haringey following the Baby P court case.

The President of the Family Division, Sir Nicholas Wall, and the Chief Executive of Cafcass, Anthony Douglas, have announced that Interim Guidance first introduced in October 2009 designed to provide short-term assistance to Cafcass, will not be formally renewed when the most recent agreement comes to an end on the 30 September 2011.